Saturday, October 22, 2022

Bagel And Boutique Reports


My bed was so deliciously perfect in all regards this morning that I just laid there for at least twenty minutes after I woke up and luxuriated in the contrasting warmth beneath the duck and the sweet cold air coming in the window above my head. I don't think I turned over all night long. Jack wasn't even there to disturb me as far as I know, probably because of that open window. If he'd just get under the covers but no...

I did get up eventually. I mean- such a big day planned! Bagel-making and the opening of the My G-Word Soul Boutique! Shall we start calling it the MGWSB?  Perhaps. 
I started the bagels, following Rebecca's recipe. I decided to halve the recipe because six bagels would be a more appropriate amount to make than a dozen for a first try. And of course, there's only me here right now. It was a wise decision because there is definitely going to be a learning curve in this baking pursuit. All of the basics came together pretty well but I think that I may have put a little too much flour in the dough, preventing a superior rise. Also, I made the holes too big which flattened them out, too. 
Ay-yi. 
Next time I'll do better. 
But the good news is is that they are delicious and that's the truth. 



I ate one right away with butter, having not prepared appropriately by purchasing cream cheese. Oh well. Butter is, if not better, at least almost as good. 

That project took almost all day but during one of the rises, I walked down to the new boutique. I took the picture at the top and didn't know whether to laugh or give the lady props for her optimism. At that point, at least, there was no need for overflow parking. 

When I walked in, there were two ladies at the counter, speaking with the owner. They were young women and I would describe them as hippie-wanna-be's. Maybe. One of them was going on and on and on about how happy she was to find a shop that sold things like this and was there any tea tree oil because she'd heard that tea tree oil is good for many things, including healing piercings. Or was it tattoos? I don't know. One of those. 
You get the picture. 

Speaking of pictures, here are two that I took surreptitiously. 



There were some things on shelves. Not a whole lot of things but some. There was a rack with a few items of clothing and there were a few Guatemalan bags. The items on the shelves ranged from home made soap that the owner makes to sage bundles to plaster things to a few candles, some cone incense and accompanying burners, crocheted pot holders and knitted caps. 
There was one Indian print bedspread that I really considered buying but I was not fond of the pattern or colors. So, no. 
A guy came in who recognized me. "Are you Hank's mama?"
This is how I am identified frequently. 
We chatted for awhile. He's a sweetie. 
And a few other people came in while I was there. A lot of us have been curious, I think, to see what the place would look like. 
The owner whose G-Word Soul informs the merchandise is retired from her job and has been wanting to open her own little place so yes, this is her dream. She wants to support local artisans by bringing their work in. The young hippieish woman was thrilled by this news. She herself makes...uh, something. Some paintings, maybe? I do know she said that she has a very hippie/boho/western style. 
Well. 

I bought a bar of soap because I HAD to buy something. I am not sure what the scent of it is. If I had to guess, I would say...patchouli? It makes me sneeze. But I will enjoy using it. It is hemp soap. 
I wished the lady good luck. And I do! 
I can see her vision and it is laudable. I am just very unsure why her stock is so limited. She spoke several times about how although the shop is so small, it took SO much time and work to get it open. I looked around and couldn't figure out why. It is tiny. And the shelves are so empty. But she is probably starting on a shoestring and is hoping to be able to build up and buy more products and find artists who are interested in selling their wares there. 

After I made my tiny purchase, I walked home under the oaks and my neighbor's sasangua. Another incredibly beautiful day. I've had all of the doors open to let in the good clear air, to invite the outside in. I do love these days when I can do that. I am lucky to live in a place where that's possible. 

My sweetheart is actually on his way home. They are staying in North Dakota tonight. Our anniversary is on Tuesday and perhaps he will be home in time for a martini and some kissing. Thirty-eight years this year. 
We are coming up on the time of year we met for real and began a whirlwind romance. A little less than a year later we were married, a year from that we had a one-month old baby girl named Lillian Rose Moon and he had already built a business to support our family and in many ways, the whirlwind has never ended. 
And may I say (blushingly) that the honeymoon hasn't either. 

I will stop now for all our sakes. 

Oh wait! I got the very best spam-bot comment today on an ancient post and it amused me so much. Here it is.

"Hmmm, is there something wrong with the images on this blog? At the end of the day, I try to figure out if this is a problem or a blog.
Any answers will be greatly appreciated."

Spam-Bot- you and me both. 

Love...Ms. Moon

30 comments:

  1. I hope the craft lady finds artists. I think perhaps she's been working on getting consigners. Chicken and egg -- hard to get them till they see a going business, hard to get a going business until you get stock. I did like the optimism of the hand written overflow sign! G word or not, I like her.

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    1. I really could not get a fair estimation of whether I could like this woman or not. It wasn't that sort of encounter, of course. It is a bit of a Catch 22, isn't it, her trying to get consigners while she has so little inventory. But I have a feeling that there are plenty of arts and crafts types of people who would love to have a shelf for their wares.

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  2. Yes, I hope her stock increases soon. I have more 'stuff' in my medicine cabinet. She's certainly an optimist and I guess that's what's needed when
    starting a business these days. Let us know how you like the soap. I've seen so many of these 'type' of businesses come and go over the year.
    Never know till you try.
    Paranormal John

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    1. I think a decent business plan would also be required. But I don't know- maybe she has one. I wonder what sort of work she did before she retired.

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  3. Maybe you could make stuff to sell in the G store.
    I envy you with the cooling down as we are in the heating up.
    It is good that you are still on your honeymoon, Ms Moon. May it never end.

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    1. I cannot imagine what I would make. I am neither arty nor crafty in most regards and my taste is weird. I could, however, make muffins!
      It is going to warm up here again this week. And oh, how we need rain!
      I, too, hope that our honeymoon never ends. We are so lucky in still having those being in love feelings, I think.

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  4. Ms. G. has some potential. I wish her well. perhaps you could consign some of those crooked dresses you dislike so.

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    1. Ha! Well, perhaps she will make a go of things. She just needs more inventory.

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  5. interesting and ecclectic G. Store........if rather sparse. I wish her well and hope some of the crafty people closeby step up to contribute and make it more communal and interactive. Hemp soap not a bad thing! Glad Mr Moon homeward bound.....eat up those peas..... and have another martini!
    Love the luxuriating in bed for a bit in the morning.....even once awake.....the snuggness just makes you want to stay in there!
    Susan M

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    1. Oops! PS.....your bagels look great for a first effort! I will channel Edward Espe Brown and work on that!
      Susan M

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    2. When Glen and I were in Roseland, we went to a little thing in the park at Sebastian where vendors were set up with their wares. I despaired at what people make and think will sell. So much of it is just...well, not very sell-able. Cute little crafty items that someone probably said of, "Oh, these are so darling! I bet people would buy them!" I am perhaps being judgmental but I sure didn't see much money exchanging hands.
      Yep. Time to finish up the peas! He's going to be going back to Canada soon for a different sort of hunting so I'll actually have more time to eat them.
      Good luck with your bagels, should you choose to make them!

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  6. Maybe it's a front. I'm glad the bagels were good and may the honeymoon go on forever.

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    1. Honest to god, I think this woman is quite sincere.

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  7. What is a honeymoon?
    I think that Ms. Gypsy has delusions of grandeur, perhaps she was born in April - an Ares maybe? Big pie in the sky thinkers. Though what do I know about star signs, I am not a gypsy. The pink sign did make me guffaw heartily.
    I need more time alone-together, Mary. Dennis will be home tomorrow.

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    1. You know what a honeymoon is, Linda Sue! It's where you go off with a lover and spend a lot of time in bed and the rest of the time eating, drinking, and being silly. Holding hands is involved.
      To be honest, I think you are probably right about Ms. G-Word.

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  8. Those bagels look great! And the store looks - interesting?, yeah, interesting for lack of a better word..

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    1. Actually, one of the problems with the store was that it didn't look that interesting but I get your drift.

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  9. Your bagels look good but that store is probably the saddest looking store I've ever seen. Safe travels to Mr. Moon.

    I also put "The Latecomer" on hold at the library. Thank you.

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    1. I adore your directness! No fooling around for you! Yes. It seemed a bit sad to me too.
      I hope you enjoy that book. I sure did.

      Delete
  10. Hah! The spam-bot can't decide. Delete him/her.
    I love the moons and stars hanging in the first picture you took. The shelves do look a bit bare, I hope she gets more stock and is able to keep the shop open at least for a while. Winter might be a slow period for her.
    I'm rather glad your honeymoon has never really ended. Thirty-eight years!
    The bagels look good.

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    1. Oh, I deleted the comment but I had to quote it. It was so good!
      Time will tell about MGWSB.
      I'm glad my honeymoon has never ended too. I never foresaw this possibility.

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  11. I saw that picture of the sign and I laughed out loud! It was just so optimistic. Well, I hope the little shop lasts more than a few months but she really needs to get some inventory.

    The bagels look good to me.

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    1. I did too, Ellen. And it was sitting by an empty space which probably spans a half acre. I think her car was there.
      Those bagels are delicious.

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  12. Before I even read your post I had to laugh at that sign. I too appreciate the owner's optimism, but I also have a sort of depressed feeling that this venture isn't going to end well. I hope she has lots of capital to keep this place functioning.

    Love the spam! It's been a long time since I've had any clever spam. Mine is always either a Thai casino or someone with an African name hawking a cure for herpes.

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    1. I keep thinking about Papa Jay and my heart does sink for the woman. I swear to you- I think the crocheted stuff she has may have been left over from Papa Jay's mother who used to sit in front of the shop and crochet all day long, even in the summer heat.
      I think that may have been the first clever spam I've ever gotten! For whatever reason, I never get herpes cure spam. Thank goodness.

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  13. I laughed aloud throughout all of this. I really hope she is able to sustain this hopeful business! Your caricatures were wonderful, and the spam -- priceless.

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    1. It was a scene, Elizabeth. I swear. If you and I had gone in there together, we would have had to leave because we'd be laughing so hard it would have been embarrassing.

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  14. I can't imagine her business lasting long unless she gets more stuff. Are there a lot of wanna-be-hippies in your area?

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    1. Not unless a commune has formed nearby that I am not aware of.

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  15. I am not sure how I missed this Ms. Moon! When you wrote about not having the heart to go back to the Gyp Joint, I had to look up the post of original trip. I hope she does well too. I hope it encourages other people to see their own creattions as worthy and marketable. I hope it increases their personal value in their own eyes.

    All that being said, the overflow parking sign is so wonderfully optimistic! It made me laugh out loud.

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.